270 ON SALMON-FISHING WITH THE FLY. 



dimensions very different from those which, at first 

 start, were attributed to them, and as frequently they 

 fall short of what is conjectured. It sometimes hap- 

 pens, for instance, that a powerful salmon makes 

 reserve of its strength, and by its movements, passion- 

 less and confined, appears for the space of several mi- 

 nutes little better than an unresisting, inanimate mass ; 

 nor, until irritated by the continued pressure, I say 

 not, pain, resulting from the rod and tackle, does it 

 give vent to its fury in grand impetuous bursts, which, 

 as they shake and agitate his rod and line, stir also and 

 agitate the heart of their wielder. 



On the other hand, a comparatively small fish will 

 sometimes, on being hooked, exert, on the instant, an 

 unexpected degree of strength and velocity. It will 

 dart upwards or across the stream with railway speed, 

 and conclude each heat with a succession of somersets 

 which, although they exhaust rapidly the power of the 

 performer, are severally, as they occur, fraught with 

 danger. In this case, the salmon quickly betrays its 

 size and can be dealt with accordingly ; still there is 

 always a necessity for the exercise of extreme caution, 

 for the more volatile in disposition the fish appears, the 

 greater are the chances of its escape. When deeply- 

 hooked, it is generally unable or unwilling to indulge 

 the eye of the angler with antics of the above descrip- 

 tion, but will confine its manoeuvres to its natural 

 element, merely breaking the surface on emergencies 

 (on the lapse, for instance, of some powerful sally), 

 and frequently betaking itself to a different mode of 

 action, suited as readily to snap the line or detach the 

 barb from its mouth. The following instructions, as 

 to playing or managing a salmon with the rod, will be 

 found useful. 



